Cleaning method of flow path in inkjet head, inkjet head, cleaning device, and image forming device

Abstract

There is provided a cleaning method of a flow path in an inkjet head, including: introducing cleaning liquid into the flow path in the inkjet head; and introducing gas into the flow path in the inkjet head, wherein bubbles made of the gas are generated in the cleaning liquid introduced into the flow path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning method of a flow path in an inkjet head, comprising:
 introducing cleaning liquid into the flow path in the inkjet head; and   introducing gas into the flow path in the inkjet head, wherein   bubbles made of the gas are generated in the cleaning liquid introduced into the flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning method of the flow path in the inkjet head according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the introducing the cleaning liquid and the introducing the gas are simultaneously performed.   
     
     
         3 . The cleaning method of the flow path in the inkjet head according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the introducing the gas is introducing the gas from an introducing port different from an introducing port from which the cleaning liquid is introduced to the flow path.   
     
     
         4 . The cleaning method of the flow path in the inkjet head according to  claim 1 , wherein
 an internal pressure in the inkjet head when a flow rate A of the cleaning liquid introduced into the flow path and a flow rate B of the gas introduced into the flow path satisfy equation (1) and the bubbles are generated is 0.2 MPa or smaller:
   1≤ A/B≤ 5  (1).
 
   
     
     
         5 . The cleaning method of the flow path in the inkjet head according to  claim 1 , wherein
 an average bubble diameter of the generated bubbles is smaller than an ejection port diameter of the inkjet head.   
     
     
         6 . The cleaning method of the flow path in the inkjet head according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the introducing the gas is introducing the gas through a porous body connected to a tip end of a pipe.   
     
     
         7 . An inkjet head capable of cleaning a flow path by introducing cleaning liquid and gas into the flow path in the inkjet head, wherein
 a porous body that makes the gas fine is arranged in an introducing port from which the gas is introduced.   
     
     
         8 . The inkjet head according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the porous body has an average pore diameter smaller than an ejection port diameter of the inkjet head.   
     
     
         9 . A cleaning device capable of being mounted on an image forming device including an inkjet head, the cleaning device comprising:
 a cleaning liquid introducer that introduces cleaning liquid into a flow path in the inkjet head;   a gas introducer that introduces gas into a flow path in the inkjet head; and   a bubble generator that generates bubbles made of the gas in the cleaning liquid introduced into the flow path.   
     
     
         10 . An inkjet image forming device comprising:
 an inkjet head; and   the cleaning device according to  claim 9 .